Folding wardrobe or closet.



P. J. BENSON.

FOLDING WARDROBE 0R CLOSET.

I APPLICATION FILED OUT. 2, 1909. 9 3, 53, Y Patented July 12, 1910.

2 SHEET8-BHEET 1.

6] woe w lfoz P. J. BENSON. FOLDING WARDROBE'OR CLOSET.

1 APPLICATION IIILED OUT. 2, 190a, v 963,85 3. Patented July 12,1910.

' 2 BHEETB-.SHEET 2.

m/van for, 32, )7 an 5/27 54 0500,

1 I5 011w I fiwwzzif wk PETER J. BENSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FOLDING WARDROBE OR CLOSET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 12, 1910.

Application filed October 2, 1909. Serial No. 520,618.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Pn'rna J. BENSON, of. the borough of Manhattan, city and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Folding Wardrobes or Closets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention belongs to the class of socalled knock down or folding furniture characterized by a construction enabling articles thereof to be folded up in comparatively small compass, or in other words, to occupy less cubic s ace than when in actual use, particularly or economy of room in transportation, or storage.

The side and back sections of the resent wardrobe or closet are each made in two parts, hinged together-and adapted to fold over on one another. One part of each of the side sections is hinged to one back part While the wardrobe top is hinged to the other back part. Removable shelves and door complete the elements of the wardrobe.

In the drawing accompanying the present specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a Wardrobe or closet embodying the features of my present improvements, portions of the door being broken away. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section from front to rear of the wardrobe. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the wardrobe in a partly folded condition. Fig. 4 is a detail of the underside of a shelf end. Fig. 5 is a detail of the joint between the door parts. Figs. 6 and 7 represent a modification.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts in all figures.

The back and side sections of the present wardrobe are each made in two foldable parts when such article of furniture is made of the usual or customary dimensions, thus reducing materially the size of the folded package.

Referring to the drawing 2,2 designate the upper andlower parts of the back, these being hinged together along the line of division, see 2 The upper and lower parts of each side section are designated by 3, 3, respectively, each pair of such parts being likewise hinged, see 3 Each of the said wardrobe side sections is connected to the aforesaid back as follows: The lower part 3, 3 of each side section is hinged to the lower part 2 of the back, see hinges 3 the upper side parts 3, 3, having no connection with the upper part 2 of the back section but this latter having hinged to it the wardrobe top 4, see 4 It will be noted that the relation of these hinges is such that facing the front of the wardrobe as indicated in Fig. 1 the two upper side parts 3, 3 may be swung to the right and left respectively, down upon the respective lower side parts and then inwardly against the inner face of lower part 2 of the back.

The top 4 swings inwardly against the inner face of upper back part 2 while the latter ma be swung over to the rear and down agalnst the rear face of lower part 2, the result being substantially as indicated in Fig. 3, in which various pieces are shown as somewhat opened out the better to represent their relation.

The'interior shelves of the wardrobe are the principal means utilized for holding together the opened-out sections in their wardrobe-forming position, and for this urpose and for the further purpose of hol in the shelf in place each shelf 5 (a desired number thereof being used) is here provided at each end with a pair of downwardly projecting hooks 5', 5 adapted to removably engage with corresponding sockets 5 5 secured to the side sections 3, 3 and 3, 3. Top 4 may be held in place by suitable books 4'.

For the same reason that the back and side sections of the wardrobe are made in parts, I prefer to make the door in a similar manner. As illustrated therefore, the door comprises an upper part 6 and a lower part 6. These door parts are removably hin ed to one pair of side parts 3, 3, hinges 6 eing indicated for the purpose and being of the well known construction embodying a hinge member on each connected part and a removable hinge pin 6 adapted to engage with the pair of associated members.

The door parts may be so united when desired that they shall move as a unit by a bolt 7 while the usualcatch and lock device 8 may be used.

As thus constructed it is evident that the wardrobe may be folded up to form a package the several sections of which lie one upon the other in substantially parallel planes and occupying a small space as compared to that filled when unfolded and in position for use. It may however be desirable to make the back and side sections each in a single piece. Figs. 6 and 7 indidown on 'the folded inside sections as indlcat-ed.

Shelves and door may be fitted as already described.

Having described my'invention I claim: 1. In a piece of furniture of the class described, the combination of a back section" comprising a lower part and an upper part hinged to and adapted to be folded down on the rear side of said lower part, a to section hinged to and adapted to be olded down on the front side of the upper part of said back section, side sections each comprising a lower part hinged to and ada ted to be folded down on the front side 0 the lower part of said back section and an upper part hinged to and adapted to be swun outward and folded down on the outer s1de of ceases the side section lower part to which it is hinged, and'a door.

2. In a piece of furniture of the class described, the combination of a back section comprising a lower part and an u per part hinged to and ada ted to be foldbd down on the rear side 0 said lower part, a to section hinged to and adapted to be folde down on the front side of the upper art of said back section, side sections eac comprising a lower part hinged to and ada ted to be folded down on the front side 0 the lower part of said back section and an upper part hlnged to and adapted to be swung out ward and foldeddown on the outer s1de of the side section lower part to which it is him ed, shelves provided with rojecting hoo (s, sockets wlth which said ooks are adapted to engage, and a door.

In witness whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PETER J. BENSON. Witnesses .A. S. Boenm, ISIDOR FLATO. 

